I Won't Let Her Come Back Here

Sophia's Point of View

The sleek black car glided into the grand lobby of Starlight Studios, its presence alone commanding attention.

I sat in the back seat, tapping my perfectly manicured nails against my phone.

The slight vibration of the engine as it hummed to a stop was the only indication that we had arrived.

My driver stepped out and rounded the car, his hand reaching for the door handle. I clicked my tongue, signaling him to stop.

Without even glancing at me, Nancy, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, quickly unbuckled her seatbelt and scrambled out of the car.

She understood her place.

The door swung open, and I stepped out with an air of elegance, my red-soled heels clicking against the polished marble floor.

My driver bowed his head slightly and stepped back, as if to give me space to bask in my own radiance.

Then I saw her. Nancy. Standing there like a fool, waiting for my next command.

Her face was pale, and the bruise from the other day was still faintly visible on her cheek. The sight annoyed me, but instead of pity, all I felt was rage.

"How dare you," I hissed, raising my hand before she could even register what was happening.

The slap was loud, echoing across the vast lobby. The force of it sent her stumbling to the floor.

"Miss Sophia!" she cried, her voice trembling as she held a hand to her face. "I-I don't understand...."

"Shut up!" I snapped, my voice cutting through her pathetic stammering. I stepped closer, towering over her as she cowered on the marble floor. "How dare you keep me waiting?"

Nancy's eyes widened in panic, her lips trembling as she tried to form a coherent response.

"B-But the driver, he was going to open the door..."

I sneered, leaning down just enough to make sure she heard every venomous word.

"That's your job, you fool. What are you even here for if not to serve me? Or have you grown too lazy to perform the only thing you're good at?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Sophia. I didn't mean....."

Before she could finish her sentence, I slapped her again. This time, she didn't stumble, but the sound of it was just as satisfying.

Her head snapped to the side, and I saw tears beginning to pool in her eyes.

"Sorry?" I mocked, straightening my posture and brushing invisible dust off my designer dress.

"Do you think 'sorry' is going to fix your incompetence?"

Nancy fell to her knees, her hands clasped together as if in prayer. "Please, Miss Sophia," she whispered. "It won't happen again. I swear."

Her begging fueled something dark inside me. I could feel the satisfaction blooming in my chest, a twisted sense of pleasure that made the corners of my lips curl upward.

"Do you know why you're here, Nancy?" I asked, circling her like a predator cornering its prey.

"Do you know why I chose you to be my manager after I ruined Morana's career?"

She didn't respond, but the way she flinched told me everything I needed to know.

"It's because I enjoy this," I continued, my voice cold and deliberate.

"You, kneeling before me, begging for mercy. It's almost like having Morana herself here. And since I can't touch her yet…"

I crouched down, my face mere inches from hers. "You'll do."

Nancy whimpered, her shoulders shaking as silent tears rolled down her cheeks. The sight of her humiliation was intoxicating, and I allowed myself a moment to revel in it before stepping back.

What made it even sweeter was the fact that Nancy had no way out. Resigning wasn't an option for her—not when I held the leverage that kept her chained to me.

It was something precious, something she would do anything to protect. And I would continue using it to control her, to make her endure every ounce of humiliation and pain I decided to inflict.

"Now," I said, my voice sharp as a whip. "Go to the car and get my documents and clothes."

Nancy hesitated for a fraction of a second, and that was all it took to reignite my fury.

"They're… they're too much for me to carry all at once," she said softly, her voice barely audible.

My eyes narrowed, and before she could blink, my hand connected with her cheek again. The force wasn't as strong this time, but the sting of it was enough to make her cry out.

"Are you questioning me?" I demanded, my tone dripping with malice. "Do you think I care how much they weigh? I don't care if you have to make a hundred trips. I want everything brought inside. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, Miss Sophia," she whispered, her voice cracking under the weight of her humiliation.

"Good." I turned on my heel, my dress swishing around me as I strode toward the entrance of the building.

The automatic doors slid open, and the cool air from inside washed over me, a stark contrast to the fire still burning in my chest.

As I walked away, I could hear the faint sound of Nancy shuffling toward the car, her steps heavy with defeat. I didn't bother to look back. My satisfaction was complete, for now.

But this was just the beginning. Nancy's suffering was merely a placeholder, a way to channel my anger until the day I could finally make Morana pay.

And when that day came, I would make sure she suffered in ways she couldn't even begin to imagine.

With a satisfied smirk, I entered the building.

The cool, sleek lobby of Starlight Studios felt like home to me—a place where I ruled. As I entered, my heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, echoing my authority.

Heads turned, but no one dared to meet my gaze. I exuded power, and I relished in the knowledge that no one in this building would dare cross me.

I stopped in front of the elevator, tapping my nails impatiently against the gold-polished button. The faint hum of music played in the background as I waited, the day's events swirling in my mind.

Suddenly, the soft chime of another elevator echoed from the far side of the lobby. My eyes instinctively darted toward it, my heart skipping a beat.

That elevator was reserved for the chairman himself or for VIPs—people important enough to warrant such exclusivity.

The elevator doors slid open, and I froze.

A familiar figure stepped out, her poise and elegance as unmistakable as ever. She was wearing a tailored black suit that hugged her figure perfectly, her hair falling in soft waves down her back.

Her aura was magnetic, commanding attention even from the busiest passerby.

It was her.

My breath caught in my throat as realization hit me like a truck.

'Morana.'

"What the hell…" I whispered under my breath, my pulse quickening.

'What is she doing here?'

She was walking beside her grandfather, Mr. Sinclair, a man whose reputation alone could send shivers down anyone's spine. The pair moved with an air of authority, as though they owned the place.

My thoughts spiraled. Why was she here? Was this some kind of coincidence? Or had she deliberately come to cross paths with me?

Morana's sharp gaze fell on me, and I saw the faintest smirk curve her lips. She slowed her pace and turned to me, her grandfather pausing beside her.

"Sophia," she greeted smoothly, her voice carrying that infuriating calmness that made my blood boil.

I straightened, quickly composing myself. "Morana," I replied curtly, lifting my chin in defiance.

"What… brings you here?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though I could feel my hands beginning to tremble slightly.

"Oh, just settling some business," she said casually, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "And securing a deal with Sebastian."

Her words hit me like a punch to the gut. My heart sank. Securing a deal? My mind raced, the pieces falling into place with terrifying clarity.

No. No, no, no. This couldn't be what I thought it was.

I forced a smile, though I could feel the strain on my face. "A deal, huh? Well, congratulations. I'm sure it's… important."

Morana tilted her head slightly, her smirk widening as though she could see right through me. "Oh, it is. Very important."

I shifted, stepping slightly to the side to block Nancy from Morana's view. The last thing I needed was for Morana to see her bruised and pathetic, cowering behind me like some kicked puppy. It would only add fuel to her fire.

"Well," Morana said, her voice dripping with faux warmth, "it was nice seeing you again, Sophia. I'm sure we'll be seeing more of each other."

She paused, her piercing eyes locking onto mine. "I'll see you around."

With that, she turned and walked away, her grandfather following closely behind. I stood rooted to the spot, my heart pounding in my chest.

When the elevator arrived, I stepped inside, gripping the cold steel railing for support. The doors closed, but my thoughts refused to settle.

'Securing a deal?'

It better not be what I was thinking.

The elevator dinged, and as the doors slid open to my floor, I was greeted by chaos. Workers were rushing around, carrying boxes, furniture, and décor.

Their movements were frantic, as though they were on a tight deadline.

Frowning, I stepped out of the elevator and stopped one of them, a young man struggling under the weight of a massive desk lamp.

"What's going on here?" I demanded, my voice sharp.

The man shifted nervously under my glare. "We're… uh, arranging Miss Morana Sinclair's office," he stammered.

The words hit me like a physical blow. My vision swam, and I stumbled back a step. "What did you just say?"

He hesitated, clearly intimidated. "Miss Morana Sinclair's office, ma'am. We're setting it up....."

I didn't hear the rest of his sentence. My mind was spinning, the world around me fading into white noise. Morana. Back at Starlight Studios. Her office being prepared.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head. "No, no, no."

All my efforts, all the schemes, the humiliation I had orchestrated to ruin her… It couldn't all be undone. Not now.

"I can't let this happen," I muttered, my nails digging into my palms. "I can't let her come back. I've worked too hard, done too much…"

A spark of fury ignited within me, consuming the shock and fear. My fists clenched as I turned on my heel, storming toward my office.

"I must stop this," I hissed under my breath, my resolve hardening. "Whatever it takes, I won't let her come back here."